Project Proposal for Custom Furniture Commissions

What a good one includes

• A detailed design concept featuring 3D renderings, hand-drawn sketches, or scale orthographic drawings alongside specific dimensions.
• A curated material palette listing wood species, finishes, metal accents, and upholstery fabrics to align on tactile expectations.
• A breakdown of construction techniques, joinery methods, and structural integration to demonstrate heirloom-grade quality.
• A phased timeline mapping out milestones from material procurement and fabrication to dry-fitting, finishing, and delivery.
• A transparent, itemized cost breakdown covering materials, labor, design fees, and a structured payment schedule tied to specific milestones.
• A delivery and installation logistics plan detailing site access requirements, weight considerations, and on-site assembly steps.
• A brief overview of wood movement expectations, environmental care guidelines, and your structural warranty to build long-term trust.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Underestimating material costs or sourcing lead times, which eats directly into your profit margins and delays fabrication.
• Failing to define a strict scope-of-work, leaving you vulnerable to scope creep where clients ask for free design changes mid-build.
• Omitting clear delivery and installation logistics, resulting in surprise costs when a massive dining table won't fit through a client's narrow doorway.
• Presenting vague payment terms instead of requiring a non-refundable deposit to secure materials before any physical work begins.

Frequently asked questions